Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Omicron Pi (ΑΟΠ, AOII, Alpha O) is an international sorority founded on January 2, 1897, at Barnard College on the campus of Columbia University in Manhattan, New York City.[1][2]
Alpha Omicron Pi
January 2, 1897
Barnard College
(Manhattan)
Social
Active
International
Inspire Ambition
To Dragma
The Arthritis Foundation
143 active collegiate chapters
191,000 + lifetime
"AOII," and "Alpha O," the familiar names of the fraternity,[3] is open to women regardless of ethnicity, religion or socio-economic background,[4] with over 140 active collegiate chapters and 159 active alumnae chapters in Canada and the U.S.A.[5][6] The fraternity is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, and is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference.[1] Major symbolism includes the color cardinal, the ruby and the 'Général Jacqueminot' rose. The fraternity publishes a magazine for the benefit of members, named To Dragma.[1]
Alpha Omicron Pi was founded on the ideas found in the object of the fraternity—character, dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty.[7]
Symbols[edit]
Alpha Omicron Pi has one official color, cardinal, and is the only member of the NPC to have one official color. Its official flower is the 'Général Jacqueminot', or Jacqueminot rose.[12] Alternatively, a deep red rose may be used.[5]
The fraternity's official jewel is the ruby, while its mascot is the giant panda, which the fraternity unofficially adopted in 1976 but made official in 2017.[5] The mascot is the panda due to their friendliness and having no natural born enemies.[13]
Members of the fraternity wear three different pins depending on membership status. New members who have not been initiated wear a gold sheaf of wheat pin (the sheaf itself being the official symbol of the fraternity) bound by a ribbon bearing the letters AOII, symbolizing individuals bound together by friendship. After initiation, members may wear the membership badge with the ruby at the apex. When the fraternity establishes a new charter, the founding members wear gold rose charter member pins which symbolize new growth.[5]
Philanthropy[edit]
Alpha Omicron Pi participates in fundraising and volunteer efforts via its philanthropic arm, the Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation. The foundation allocates grants to the fraternity's philanthropy, arthritis research, as well scholarships, educational grants, and emergency funds for fraternity members.[14] The funds also support conference speakers, training events, and personal development programs for members.[12]
The fraternity is partnered with the Arthritis Foundation.[1][10] The partnership began in 1967, with the fraternity members contributing volunteer hours and fundraising events to raise money for arthritis research and camps for juvenile arthritis. Stuffed panda bears are collected each year to give to children attending Arthritis Foundation camps and conferences. The fraternity's national campaign for arthritis awareness is “AOII Goes Blue,” with local chapters creating individual chapter events. "Strike Out Arthritis!" (SOA) Is the fraternity's signature fundraising event. SOA Events are held each year at Major League Baseball games, since the fraternity cites "strong relationships [with] Major League Baseball teams."[10] Individual chapters hold their own SOA events which vary from bowling tournaments to pageants to barbecues with funds going to AOII Foundation specifically for arthritis research.
Other programs the fraternity supports is Sisters for Soldiers, where members collect items and write letters to soldiers.[10]